25/26 Preview #5: RC Lens
Last season
Will Still had big shoes to fill last season, replacing club legend Franck Haise. His job was made tougher by the departures of key players such as Kevin Danso, Brice Samba, Elye Wahi, and Abdukodir Khusanov, however, he nonetheless kept the team in contention to qualify for European football. Despite a 4-0 win over Monaco on the final day of the season, Lens narrowly missed out, finishing eighth. That was ultimately Still's final game as manager of Les Sang et Or, as he announced his departure in the post-match press conference.
WATCH: Lens secure final-day win in Still's final game
The coach: Pierre sage
It is Sage who came in to replace the outgoing Still, signalling the second managerial change in as many seasons at Lens. The Frenchman was promoted from his position in the academy at Lyon to replace Fabio Grosso at the end of 2023. He masterminded OL's incredible rise up the table. In the relegation zone when he arrived, the club ultimately finished in the European places, whilst also reaching the Coupe de France final.
However, Sage was relieved of his duties at Lyon in January. He has now made a swift return to management and to Ligue 1 McDonald's, signing on at Lens. Sage was defined by his flexibility at Lyon and ability to switch between formations, although a desire to implement a possession-based approach was a common thread during his time at the club.
key arrivals
Lens have gone about filling the gaps created by some big-name departures in recent windows. To replace Samba, Lens have signed Robin Risser, who will aim to - one day - take Samba's spot in the France national team. Saud Abulhamid has joined on loan from AS Roma, compensating for the departure of Przemyslaw Frankowski, and on the opposite side of the defence, Matthieu Udol has joined from Metz. Jeremy Agbonifo has arrived to reinforce Lens' attack, making his loan permanent. The most expensive arrival of the summer, however, is Samson Baidoo, a young defender who has joined from RB Salzburg.
Key departures
Baidoo fills the void left by Facundo Medina, who joined Marseille this summer. Lens have also lost Neil El Aynaoui, who has joined Roma. Danso and Frankowski's loan moves, completed in January, have been made permanent, whilst Anass Zaroury and Goduine Koyalipou have made moves away on loan. The likes of Mathew Ryan and Nampalys Mendy have left on free transfers, whilst Hervé Koffi has joined Angers on loan.
remember when...
Lens' second-place finish in Ligue 1, McDonald's and subsequent qualification for the Champions League three seasons ago represent the high point in the club's recent history. However, prior to that, the club enjoyed a period of success in Europe in the late '90s and early 2000s. Their best run in Europe came in the UEFA Cup back in the 1999/2000 season, during which they reached the semi-finals of the competition. They were knocked out by Arsenal on that occasion, with French legend Thierry Henry getting on the scoresheet as Arsène Wenger's side beat Les Sang et Or 3-1 on aggregate.
cult hero: Seko Fofana
Now plying his trade at Rennes, Seko Fofana is something of a modern-day legend at Lens. He made 112 appearances for Les Sang et Or and hit the peak of his powers in the year that the club ran PSG close for the Ligue 1 McDonald's title. The midfielder was named in the UNFP Ligue 1 McDonald's Team of the Year in 2022, but having guided the club to the Champions League, he did not stay, making the move to Saudi Arabia. However, Fofana certainly left his mark, with his emotional contract extension on the pitch at the Stade Bollaert a lasting image.
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